Hall of Fame honour for United legend
NEWCASTLE United legend Gary Speed has been inducted to the National Football Museum Hall of Fame in Manchester.
Speed was praised for his versatility and made 248 appearances for Leeds United and 213 appearances for Newcastle United, as well as playing in midfield for Everton - a team he had supported since childhood.
Speed’s family will be presented with the posthumous award in his memory, following his tragic death in 2011.
The former Wales international is one of nine great players due to be inducted to the National Football Museum Hall Of Fame, at a ceremony at the museum in Manchester on September 21.
This year’s other inductees include Steven Gerrard, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard, Charlie Roberts, Kelly Smith and Rachel Yankey, while Paralympian and ex-England CP player Alistair Patrick-Heselton is due to receive the Football For All award, sponsored by The FA. The inductees were decided by a host of the game’s greats and Hall of Fame members including; Sir Geoff Hurst, Gordon Banks, Sir Bobby Charlton, Peter Schmeichel, Roger Hunt, Kevin Keegan, Bryan Robson, Francis Lee, Trevor Francis, Ossie Ardiles, George Cohen, Norman Hunter, Sue Lopez and Marianne Spacey, making the former Wales manager’s achievement even more special.
Kevin Haygarth, Interim Director of the National Football Museum, said: “We are delighted to bestow Gary Speed and his family with the honour of a place in the Hall of Fame.
“Speed was a record-breaking player. His talent and dedication on the pitch is fondly remembered and respected by fans of Leeds, Everton, Newcastle, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United.